LAKEWOOD, Colo., May 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- MADD Colorado kicked off its sixth annual Walk Like MADD® event during a night of bowling to "STRIKE out drunk driving" with some very special guests... the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders! The cheerleaders were there to cheer on MADD supporters and volunteers, along with local businesses and community partners, as they bowled to raise awareness and funds to keep Colorado communities safe. The kickoff bowling event was designed to give Walk teams the opportunity to sign up their walkers and raise funds — all while having a fun night as a team.

Walk Like MADD is a community-driven 5K walk where every dollar raised supports MADD's lifesaving programs and services. To register for the DenverWalk Like MADD event or make a donation, please visit www.walklikemadd.org and select "Denver, CO" as the city.

The 2011 Denver Walk Like MADD is presented locally by the Law Firm of Bachus & Schanker, MADD Colorado's Statewide Sponsor since 2009. "We are honored to be a part of Walk Like MADD as the Statewide Sponsor," says Darin Schanker, founding partner at the law firm of Bachus & Schanker, LLC. "Our experience in personal injury law has shown us firsthand the devastating effects drunk driving has on victims and families. Through both our financial contributions and our continued participation as a Walk Like MADD sponsor, we hope to support the invaluable programs and victim services provided by MADD."

Walk Like MADD is sponsored nationally by State Farm®. "Making our communities safer is a core value at State Farm," said Troy Turner, Vice President, Operations, State Farm. "Our commitment to reducing the number of senseless deaths is emphasized in our involvement with MADD this year as the national sponsor."

The lane sponsors for the 2011 kickoff included the Law Firm of Bachus & Schanker, Gary's Auto Service, the 9/11 Freedom Rally, the Law Firm of Bell & Pollock, the family and friends of Justin Conant, Team JC Hope for Denver, and Joe and Susan Hollon.

For more than 30 years, MADD has helped save over 300,000 lives — but thousands of people across the country continue to be killed and injured by this violent crime. On average, one in three people will be involved in a drunk driving crash in their lifetime. In 2009 alone, 158 people in Colorado were killed in drunk driving crashes and countless others were injured. MADD Colorado serves 2,000 victim/survivors each year.

To volunteer with MADD Colorado or make a donation, please visit www.madd.org/co.

About MADD

Founded by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is the nation's largest nonprofit working to protect families from drunk driving and underage drinking. MADD also supports drunk driving victims and survivors at no charge, serving one person every 10 minutes at 1-877-MADD-HELP. Learn more at www.madd.org or call 1-877-ASK-MADD.